What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition caused by an overactive immune system that causes skin cells to grow and divide faster than normal.1 According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, there are five types of psoriasis — each is associated with different symptoms and can affect certain parts of the body.2

Can Psoriasis Be Prevented or Cured?

Unfortunately, there’s currently no way to cure psoriasis or prevent it from developing.8 However, you can take steps to help prevent psoriasis flares.9 For example, if stress makes your psoriasis symptoms worse, you can work on finding ways better manage it. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends trying yoga or other stress-relieving exercises. 

Be sure to avoid your triggers as best you can. If you’re starting or stopping a medication, work with your doctor to prevent a psoriasis flare. If you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, stopping may help control skin inflammation and psoriasis symptoms. Taking extra precautions to protect your skin from cuts, bites, and UV light can also help prevent flares.


Resources for Living with Psoriasis 

If you’re living with psoriasis and/or PsA, you may be interested in meeting others who are in the same situation. There are several patient support groups and websites with resources to help you live a healthier, more comfortable life with psoriasis. Use the sources below to learn more about psoriasis and connect with others who understand.

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Symptoms, Causes and Potential Treatments

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis (also known as psoriasis vulgaris) creates thick plaques or scales on the skin.

Types of Psoriasis

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What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune-mediated condition —  this means that doctors and researchers know that excess inflammation plays a role in psoriasis, but they’re not exactly sure what causes it.3 It’s important to note that psoriasis isn’t contagious, meaning it can’t be passed from one person to another. They believe it may be due to a combination of your environment and genetics. 

Environmental Triggers of Psoriasis

When your psoriasis symptoms get worse in a short period of time, it’s known as having a flare. These episodes can be brought on by triggers in your environment that kick your immune system into overdrive. This creates more inflammation that affects your skin and, occasionally, other areas of your body.4

Examples of psoriasis triggers include:

Genetics of Psoriasis

Psoriasis tends to run in families, meaning if a close family member is affected, you’re more likely to develop it yourself. Studies show that if you have a parent or sibling with psoriasis, your chances increase to 15 percent and 20 percent, respectively.5

There’s no one specific gene that increases your risk of psoriasis. Instead, researchers have found over 60 genes that may contribute to your chances of developing this skin condition.6 Many of them are involved in your immune system function — including how your immune cells work and the inflammatory signals they use to communicate with one another.

Skin Inflammation and Psoriasis

Your skin cells are constantly being replaced to keep your skin barrier healthy and to protect you from the environment. Normally, the process for your skin cells to grow and shed takes around one month. Excess inflammation from psoriasis speeds up this process to happen in around 3 to 4 days. When your skin cells grow and divide too quickly, they don’t shed properly.7

Instead, the extra skin cells begin building up on your skin’s surface. This creates inflamed, raised plaques or scales that can sting, itch, and burn. Depending on the type of psoriasis you have, you may find plaques anywhere on your body. The most commonly affected areas include the knees, elbows, and scalp.

  • Bacterial infections that lead to upper respiratory tract infections, ear infections, etc.
  • Skin injuries like cuts, scrapes, sunburn, or bug bites
  • Allergic reactions to substances like pollen, alcohol, certain foods, medications
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Cold, dry weather

Inverse Psoriasis

Inverse psoriasis effects areas where skin rubs together, including the groin, armpits, or underneath the breasts.

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate Psoriasis is characterized by the presence of papules or small, raised, round or teardrop-shaped red spots on the skin.

Pustular Psoriasis

Pustular Psoriasis is characterized  by the formation of large white or yellow pus-filled blisters — known  as pustules — that form on your skin.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

People with erythrodermic psoriasis often have symptoms affecting their entire body, which can become life-threatening if they’re not treated.

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What Is
Psoriasis?

Symptoms, Causes and Potential Treatments

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition caused by an overactive immune system that causes skin cells to grow and divide faster than normal.1 According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, there are five types of psoriasis — each is associated with different symptoms and can affect certain parts of the body.2

Sources
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What Is Psoriasis? August 18, 2020. Accessed from: https://www.cdc.gov/psoriasis/index.htm 
2. National Psoriasis Foundation. Locations and Types. November 18, 2022. Accessed from: https://www.psoriasis.org/locations-and-types/ 
3. National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriasis. February 22, 2023. Accessed from: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/ 
4. National Psoriasis Foundation. Causes and Triggers. December 21, 2022. Accessed from: https://www.psoriasis.org/causes/ 
5. The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance. Heredity. https://www.papaa.org/learn-about-psoriasis-and-psoriatic-arthritis/fertility-and-pregnancy/heredity/ 
6. Capon F. The genetic basis of psoriasis. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(12):2526. 
7. Cleveland Clinic. Psoriasis. September 15, 2022. Accessed from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6866-psoriasis
8. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Are Triggers Causing Your Psoriasis Flare-Ups? Accessed from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/triggers/flares 
9. Stanford Medicine Health Care. Psoriasis: Prevention. Accessed from: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/psoriasis/prevention.html


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